“Dark Tranquillity was one of the progenitors of melodic death metal and in all honestly, they’re the only original “Gothenburg explosion” act that’s still releasing good music. So how does Steel Druhm feel about their new cash grabby EP?” Look inside for his frugal analysis.
Von – Satanic Blood Review
Natalie Zed swings by for Black Metal History Month to teach us about ever-obscure, but pioneering Von and how they overcame all obstacles to release their long-awaited debut. Bring an apple for teacher!
Forgotten Tomb – …And Don’t Deliver Us From Evil Review
Italian blackened doom devils Forgotten Tomb are back to crush your spirit with tales of tragic romance and gruesome torture. Madam X considers herself a hopeless romantic and a lover of gruesome torture, so we pretty much just threw this promo at her and ran for our lives.
Record(s) o’ the Month – September 2012
You demanded it, whined about it and complained ad naseum. Well, here it is, Record(s) of the Month for September! Now get off our backs, you nags!
The Contortionist – Intrinsic Review
If Anathema, Obscura and Cynic got stuck in an elevator, What would happen? Alex attempts to answer this and other existential questions as best he can while reviewing the new opus from The Contortionist. Is it progressive? Is it metalcore? Is there enough air in that damn elevator??? Read on.
Interview with Matthew Widener from Liberteer
Liberteer is an extremely interesting new grindcore project in two ways: (1) Its debut album has the longest and most straightforward, “You Don’t Say”-worthy name I’ve ever seen in grindcore so far. (2) Its groovy grindcore with symphonic and Americana elements thrown in!
Beneath – Enslaved by Fear Review
Who would have thought that an icy wasteland would be good for the music community, it seems ice inspires insane speeds and death metal! A few weeks back, in my review of Kontinuum’s Earth Blood Magic, I commented on the metal kick-assery that’s making its way out of Iceland (and in particular Reykjavík), and at the time of their review another band aggressively caught my attention, doggedly refusing to let my mind rest! In true shit-happens style I ended up missing their release date and now you have a retrospective review of Beneath’s Enslaved by Fear [I feel shame at my tardiness].
Weapon – Embers and Revelations Review
Steel Druhm has a sordid history of black metal bashing. Now he turns his bitter attention to the new opus by Weapon. Will Embers and Revelations avoid his typical blackened butt spankery? They better hope so; the man has an iron hand.
Anaal Nathrakh – Vanitas Review
Anaal Nathrakh is a name that commands mucho respect in the frowny, downy world of black metal. Happy Metal Guy tells us if Vanitas keeps the flame of blackness burning bright in the dark of the winter night. Hey, that rhymed!
Ill Niño – Epidemia Review
As Karmic revenge for throwing things at Ill Niño, Fisting Andrew Golota is forced to listen to their new album. It seem they’re the same nu-metal band he once threw stuff at. So much for progress!